AUGUSTA (WGME) -- Governor Paul LePage says the state's drug problem is getting out of hand and Wednesday he announced a new $5-million-a-year plan to crackdown on the issue.

Governor LePage is looking to Democrats to back his plan aimed at locking up drug dealers and users. "The gloves are off now. The Maine people demand that we keep our children alive. For five consecutive years the legislature in the State of Maine has ignored the problem," LePage said.

Department of Public Safety data shows that last year 1 in 12 babies were born affected by drugs. Two years ago the state spent more than $6 million on transporting people for methadone treatment. More than double the entire Maine DEA operating budget.

"There’s no amount for treatment money that you can put out there if the kids are dying. We need to get the criminals off the streets," LePage said.

The plan adds four judges, four prosecutors and seven new enforcement agents. The MDEA currently has 35 full time agents covering the state.

But some worry there's not enough emphasis on treatment. “I want to know that they've had a full conversation about how this is going to solve our problem," Representative Lori Fowle (d), Vassalboro, said.

LePage says last year Maine spent about $17 million on treatment and prevention. "If you're going to step up the supply end of it, of enforcement, then why aren't you stepping up the treatment end?" Fowle said.

Some also worry the plan will overload the already crowded jails. But LePage isn't backing down. “We have law enforcement that is doing their best to fight and combat this problem, but they need resources," LePage said.

The plan is part of the LePage's two year budget proposal that still needs approval.